My friends and family are well aware of my final wishes when I eventually depart this earthly realm.
Not that I’m expecting death to arrive anytime soon, just doing a bit of forward planning, as you do.
Anyway, forget the formal funeral and obligatory wake. For my personal “in memoriam” I’d prefer my nearest and dearest to jump on a flight to Thailand and scatter my ashes at Amanpuri.
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There are some destinations you visit once or twice in a lifetime and you’re perfectly happy with that. Like an airport hotel after a cancelled flight. You’ve been, you’ve survived, and that’s quite enough.
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Then there are the special places, those you begin mourning before you leave and plot to return to as soon as you do — a place or a property so beguiling you’re compelled to rebook while only days into a stay.
Sat on the sands of Pansea Beach on the western shore of the Andaman Sea, Amanpuri holds a legacy and history unrivalled by other luxury resorts in the region.
Bedroom Ocean Vill. Credit: Supplied
In the mid-80s it was an unassuming coconut plantation destined to become a private home, but the spectacular beauty of the site inspired owner Adrian Zecha to create a small ultra-luxury resort. In 1988, thanks to American architect Ed Tuttle and his traditional Thai pavilion design, Amanpuri was born.
With monumental peaked roofs inspired by Thai temples and a staircase to the sea described as both brutalist and monolithic, architecturally Amanpuri is breathtakingly timeless. Meticulously maintained, its authenticity has seen it become the Grange Hermitage of hotels, defying age and becoming better and more sought after with every passing year.
The success of the resort has led directly to the expansion of the brand into other destinations worldwide, turning Aman into one of the world’s most exclusive hotel groups.
The popularity of these quietly ultra-luxurious properties has even given rise to the term “Aman Junkies”, a growing group of discerning travellers who refuse to stay anywhere other than at an Aman property.
It’s not hard to see why. From the moment you’re fast-tracked through Phuket airport and greeted by the hotel’s warmly efficient staff, you feel a sense of ease.
Everything is a notch above, from the cold lemongrass-scented towels in the electric BMW 7 series to the sound of the gong and personal greeting by the executive team on arrival. Every detail is considered, curated and customised.
Amanpuri. Credit: Luke Dyson
Open mini cars (not a golf buggy in sight) transport you to a spacious Pavilion where the champagne’s on ice and bags can be unpacked for you if you so choose.
A pre-dinner drink on the Sunset Terrace is a must, where signature cocktails include an entire family of negronis among other classics with a twist. Perhaps a Thai reinterpretation of a Corpse Reviver is more your style — be sure to do this, it’ll be the best you’ve ever had.
For dinner there are four acclaimed restaurants to choose from covering the best cuisine from Thailand, Italy, the Mediterranean and Japan, where a private omakase dinner can also be arranged.
Secluded seating overlooking Andaman Sea. Credit: supplied
It seems anything can be arranged here. Private dinner on the beach. Private boat tour. Private training, IV infusion, gift wrapping of your Christmas presents? Check.
The days are as varied or as simple as you want them to be. Begin with a visit to the expansive, modern Technogym-equipped gym or a hit of tennis with a former ATP pro before a poolside buffet or included a la carte breakfast. Follow up with a walk on the beach occupied by only Amanpuri and The Surin (also designed by Ed Tuttle), making it one of the most private stretches of sand in Phuket. The crowds and hustle of downtown Patong might as well be a lifetime away even though it’s a relatively short 25-minute taxi ride. That’s if you even want to leave the resort — I’ve been known to extend here every time I’ve stayed.
A bedroom at the resort. Credit: Supplied
Service is king and with a ratio of 7-8 long-serving staff per Pavilion, there’s an intimate knowledge of personal preferences, from your preferred morning beverage to the exact age and school year of each of your children.
The youngest Amanpuri guests have their own eco discovery centre, complete with terrariums, aquariums, games rooms, tennis courts, basketball and a skate half-pipe. Again, the one-on-one and personalised attention means you can spend the day relaxing with your Kindle while your kinder are occupied making lifelong friends. Christmas is especially magical when an extremely fit Santa arrives by jetski, James Bond style, with a scuba sack full of toys.
Of course, rates over Christmas and New Year are at a premium, but even at the height of Phuket’s peak season (December to February) when Amanpuri is at capacity, there remains a unique sense of space (perhaps a reason this resort is so popular with multigenerational families?) Word has it one family has been here every year ever since the hotel opened almost 40 years ago.
Beach loungers and cabanas are plentiful and cream canvas parasol umbrellas are adjusted regularly by staff to make sure your personal shade/sun requirements are maintained.
Amanpuri. Credit: John W. McDermott
The true baptism into the “Church of Puri” comes when you finally immerse yourself in the clear waters of Pansea Beach. The temperature is equivalent to what I imagine the thermostat setting in heaven to be — warm and enveloping, yet at the same time purifying and refreshing.
A swim out to the exclusive Amanpuri pontoon complete with its own sun loungers, towels and iced water gives a feeling you’ve achieved something almost godly and therefore deserving of an icy cold pina colada or Estrella as you float back to the shallows.
It’s not surprising that the translation of the Sanskrit words Aman and Puri mean “peace” and “place”. And so I ask you, is there a better resting place than that?
A space for relaxation. Credit: Supplied/ Picture:
Amanpuri Pansea Beach, Cherngtalay, Thalang District, Phuket, Thailand Price From approx. $1700 per night for a standard Pavilion
Insider Don’t just settle for the beach and a sun lounger — ask about the Ocean Platform Sunset Experience, a private platform out on the water, with canapes and champagne. Offered seasonally from November to March. aman.com
